CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Candidates for Montgomery County sheriff weighed in Tuesday on several key issues in the upcoming race, including keeping people from coming back to jail, retaining deputies and other MCSO employees, and, of course the booking log.
Dexter Mines, Mike Oliver and Johnny Ransdell are running for sheriff in the Aug. 5 Montgomery County election. The spoke at the Downtown Kiwanis Club meeting, with 5 Star Media Group’s Lee Erwin serving as moderator.
Meet the candidates for Montgomery County sheriff
Dexter Mines, a veteran and independent candidate, served in several law enforcement agencies over 22 years, including the Greenbrier Police Department, MCSO, the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy, and as assistant director of the Tennessee POST Commission.
When asked about a moment in his career that helped define him, Mines told of a time when he was working the midnight shift as a deputy and a call came in about a baby in distress. He was first on the scene and gave the baby CPR. Sadly, the baby died, but the incident helped Mines to see, “This is the business that I’m supposed to be in. It doesn’t matter who they are, it doesn’t matter where you find them. Our job when we come into this business is about people. It’s about service to people, even at the risk of our own lives.”
Mike Oliver, a Republican, has over 32 years of law enforcement experience, beginning with the Tennessee Department of Corrections and then with MCSO. He has worked in Corrections, Road Patrol, K-9 Unit, Drug Task Force and the Special Victims Unit.
Oliver spoke specifically of the impact that being in charge of the SVU had on him. “True victims are our children that suffer pretty horrible crimes. Being able to investigate those crimes, bring some kind of justice for those children, or the elderly or anybody that suffers some type of tragedy” were the cases that affected him the most.
Johnny Ransdell, retired, is an independent candidate whose 31-year career with the Clarksville Police Department included time on the Fatal Accident Crash Team, Juvenile Engagement Team, Street Crimes Unit, Special Operations Unit and Major Crimes Unit.
Ransdell highlighted the work he did with JET and the Community Relations team, engaging with children and teens to help them grow more comfortable with law enforcement. “We would find a child that was going down the wrong way from a referral, and we would turn that child’s life around, not only for the child but the family.”
| CANDIDATES: Click here to learn more about advertising to promote your campaign
What about the jail booking log?
While the candidates had similar stances on most issues, each had a different take on how to handle the booking log. For several years, MCSO published a website with the booking mugshot and charges for everyone brought into the jail. On March 22, 2023, Sheriff John Fuson took down the site, in the same week that his daughter was arrested. While many praised the move, others have called for the booking log’s return.
Mines: He said he’s against restoring the booking log. “I believe that people are innocent until proven guilty. I think that’s what we have our courts for. I don’t think that they should be proven guilty on social media.” He said when the mugshots are published, the picture stays out there, even if the charges are dismissed. “Could it stop them from getting a job? Absolutely. If they can’t get a job, and they can’t get work, what is the other choices that they have? … I think there’s a black hole (between) when a person gets arrested and trying to get back out into society.”
Oliver: “I’m in favor of the booking log, and here’s the reason: This information is public information. It doesn’t produce whether you’re guilty or not. It’s important to inform the community of who’s been arrested and what they’re been arrested for.” Regardless of how others use it, “it’s an informative tool produced by the Sheriff’s Office.” He also pointed out that several law enforcement agencies make the arrests, not just MCSO. That also includes citizens filing charges on each other.
Ransdell: “419 people were arrested in the state for DUI. Those 419 people were innocent.” Ransdell was referring to a recent TBI report on mistaken DUI arrests in 2024 in Tennessee. “Innocent until proven guilty – I’m not going to bring back a booking log.” He said that for government agencies that need those records, such as the District Attorney’s Office, and Probation and Parole, a booking log can be provided to them. Otherwise, “A conviction log is what I’m looking at. When the person is convicted in a court of law, we will start posting pictures.” Publishing the photos of people who are still innocent in the eyes of the law, “that ruins your family, that ruins your church, relationships with your wife, your job. It’s very serious. And it’s not a game for people to just be out there looking at this for fun.”
| MORE: Election news, including candidate announcements
What happens after time in jail?
The candidates were asked about recidivism – people returning to jail repeatedly – and rehabilitation.
Mines: He said he has visited other jails and seen several initiatives that help people get into programs that help them navigate moving back into society. That’s what’s needed here. “How do we help them land back on their feet? And if we we do not help them land back on their feet, our kids are going to continue to mimic what they see each and every day. If you don’t think they have a problem there, ladies and gentlemen, we do.”
Oliver: He pointed out that the jail isn’t a prison – it’s only for temporary holding, and for people sentenced to less than a year. There are some programs in place, including a minister who works with inmates, a welding program, and another initiative that helps inmates get back into society. “Jail is for punishment. You get punished, you learn your lesson, and you get back out there and you become good citizens of Montgomery County. That’s what we want.”
Ransdell: Demonstrating the costs of recidivism, he pointed out that it costs $1 million a year to feed the jail’s up to 500 inmates, plus $4 million in health care. He said we need education and church in the jail to give people the tools to get their lives back together after jail, rather than ending up homeless or coming back into the system, adding to the costs.
| NEW TO CLARKSVILLE? Check out our Newcomer’s Guide
How do we improve deputy retention at MCSO?
The candidates were asked about the impact of population growth on MCSO, and how we keep up.
Mines: “We have to become more innovative in how we take care of the men and women that we employ.” He proposes revamping the rank structure at MCSO to create deputy, junior deputy, senior deputy and master deputy ranks, providing gradually building leadership training and responsibility before deputies step into major leadership roles.
Oliver: He said that when he ran in 2022, he looked into the reasons deputies were leaving. “It wasn’t money; they were dedicated to the cause. That’s not what we’re in law enforcement for. … It’s not for recognition. It’s to help people.” He said additional money has to come from the County Commission, and that means it comes from taxpayers. “Nobody wants to talk about it. But yours and my taxes are going to be raised. We’ve got to pay for it somehow, and that’s how it’s coming out.”
Ransdell: He pointed out that MCSO has a $53 million budget, with salaries up to $30 million. Citing the costs of upfitting a vehicle, training a deputy and more, he said, “We have to keep that investment, and we have to take care of that investment. We need that deputy to stay with us for a career.” He said there have been investments by the county into MCSO, such as the new precinct and the new radio system. “We just need to keep this going.”
| DON’T MISS A LOCAL STORY: Sign up for the free daily Clarksville Now email newsletter
What happens next in Montgomery County elections?
Early voting is going on now for the May 5 Montgomery County Primary. Since Oliver is the only one running with a party label, he is the only one listed on the party primary ballot. He will face Mines and Ransdell on Aug. 6.
Aug. 6 election: In addition to Aug. 6 being the county general Montgomery County election, it will also be the state primary, with governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House and all three state House races on the ballot.
Nov. 3 election: In addition to Nov. 3 being the state general election, it will also be the City of Clarksville general election, with the mayor and half the City Council seats on the ballot.
For more information on voting, including registering to vote, go to the Montgomery County Election Commission website, visit their office at 350 Pageant Lane, Suite 404, email vote@mcgtn.net or call 931-648-5707.
| DOWNLOAD THE APP: Sign up for our free Clarksville Now app